"This gleaming glass tower, which takes on a subtle S shape, serves as a beacon of urban chic along Melbourne’s Southbank. Its vast lobby sets the tone with double-height ceilings, a seemingly never-ending black staircase, and curving walls lined with gigantic wooden ball sculptures by Korean artist Lee Jae-Hyo. Each of the Crown Metropol’s contemporary 658 rooms is just as stylish, with floor-to-ceiling windows, specially commissioned works of art, and in most, bold design accents that include sexy black-paneled walls and smart sliding doors that lead to oversize bathrooms. The sprawling rooftop spa and leisure facilities are primed for self-care rituals, offering luxe La Prairie treatments, as well as indoor tennis courts and one of the city’s finest pools—an infinity edge beauty with prime city views—for Instagram baiting. To top it all off, a foodie extravaganza awaits with three restaurants by top Aussie chef Neil Perry, along with outposts of some of the world’s most renowned restaurants, including Dinner by Heston Blumenthal and Nobu."

"The Park Hyatt Melbourne claims the city’s largest rooms and suites. Your first indication: the soaring, two-story atrium lobby. At nearly 2,600 square feet, the Presidential Suite reaches near McMansion territory, comprising a marble entryway and rooms galore, including a double king bedroom, formal living and dining rooms, and a sprawling bathroom with custom-built oversize spa bath. But at more than 500 square feet, even the smallest accommodations are amply sized. They’re also sumptuously furnished with handsome madrone-wood paneling and tall leather headboards. Such amenities as Nespresso coffee machines and Bose Bluetooth speakers make any modern nomad feel right at home, but the health club and spa offers private coaching and tennis lessons, reminding you to stay in vacation-mode, and services ranging from secretarial staff to babysitters cater to both the business traveler andfamilies on holiday."

"Travelers seeking spacious accommodations in buzzy South Yarra would be wise to choose this MGallery by Sofitel property on shop-lined Chapel Street. The smallest of its 111 guest rooms start at a roomy 410 square feet and feature plush king beds, black-marble bathrooms, and smartTVs, while its largest split-level suites are nearly quadruple in size—one has its own private spa bath and sauna, while another houses a dining table for 10 and a baby grand piano in the living room. The interiors scream personality, with a bold color palette of hot pink, turquoise, and lime green and decorative elements like gray-and-black leaf decals. After a day spent shopping in the nearby boutiques, unwind in the gym and sauna, then chill out in one of the plush lounge chairs on the seasonal rooftop deck or around the indoor pool, which is covered in a retractable glass roof that opens during warm weather."

"One of Melbourne 's first designer hotels, the Adelphi opened in a converted warehouse in the early nineties, but after an overhaul completed by new ownership in 2013, it’s as edgy as ever. The stylish lobby has swinging couches, and 34 rooms are decorated in a bold black-and-white color scheme with shocks of pink and turquoise and benefit from large windows and modern LED strip lighting. Guests in need of respite from Melbourne’s buzz (or merely hiding out from the drizzle) can bingewatch and chill: all rooms come with a 40-inch flat-screen Smart TV loaded with unlimited recently released films. Meanwhile, the dessert bar Om Nom serves high-concept sweets with components like “apple whizz fizz” and “toasted-marshmallow milk granita,” and the hotel’s breathtaking glass-bottomed pool, cantilevered nine floors above Flinders Lane, is the hottest spot in town thanks to seasonal events like last year’s pop-up gin bar."

"With its imposing marble staircase, opulent crystal chandeliers, and massive floral displays—there’s a weekly changing centerpiece, plus two-dozen pink roses, standard at every Langham property—the lobby here was designed to impress. Situated on the Southbank Promenade, the 388-room property exudes over-the-top elegance, with plush furnishings in muted tones and unexpectedly luxe accents, including highball, wine, and champagne glasses in every room for your own private cocktail hour. For those with weak tolerances, afternoon tea is a safe bet thanks to stately desserts served on Wedgwood china and helpful tea sommeliers. Those with more diverse tastes might prefer sampling from Melba restaurant’s six “cooking theaters,” ranging from an Asian wok and clay pot station to a Tandoori oven and spice kitchen—a reflection of Melbourne’s cultural diversity. Don’t miss the Chuan Spa’s indoor saltwater pool, which offers unbeatable views of Flinders Street Station, Federation Square, and the Yarra River and, in warmer months, opens out onto an outdoor deck."

"Opened in 1883, the Hotel Windsor predates some of the world’s most historic hotels, including The Ritz in Paris, the Waldorf-Astoria in New York, and The Savoy in London. As Australia’s only surviving grand hotel from that era, it has hosted countless dignitaries and members of Hollywood royalty, from Laurence Olivier to Meryl Streep. The appeal is clear: Grand arched colonnades and gilded columns set the tone, while a cantilevered staircase lined with ornate 19th-century hand-carved ceramic tiles makes a memorable impression. Old-world splendor abounds in the 180 rooms and suites, many of which feature high ceilings, walk-in closets, marble bathrooms, and pillow menus. Make like the Victorians and indulge in the Windsor’s famed afternoon tea, a sumptuous spread of freshly baked scones served with clotted cream and lemon curd, ribbon sandwiches and, on weekends, a dessert buffet crowned by a towering chocolate fountain."

"As the name suggests, this 42-room boutique property takes its design inspiration from the city’s lively laneways, alleys lined with quirky shops and restaurants and often filled with graffiti art. Expect an edgy aesthetic with hallways decorated in funky floor-to-ceiling street scenes, and rooms and suites that feature clean, modern lines accentuated by pops of canary yellow. The largest accommodations mimic apartment-style living, with kitchenettes, dining and living spaces, and private outdoor terraces (two of which are equipped with Jacuzzi spas), while high-tech amenities include Apple TVs in each room and complimentary iPads available for borrowing. (Luddites—or the nostalgic—will appreciate the arcade pinball machine in one of the suites.) Take note: There’s no restaurant on the property, butits wealth of nearby eateries and ideal location near Chinatown means guests will never lack for places to dine—or new laneways to explore."

"The Art Series Hotel Group has seven chic properties across the continent, each inspired by a namesake Australian artist. Its latest resides in Parkville, an inner suburb just north of the city center, and honors the renowned figurative expressionist painter David Larwill with original pieces in the lobby and playful prints in each of the 96 colorful rooms. Fittingly for a hotel that’s located next door to a hospital, there’s a focus on wellness: Guests take complimentary exercise classes at the on-site gym, rent retro-style Dutch bikes for exploring the neighborhood, and tune in to the designated yoga channel (in-room mats are provided). The 100-seat restaurant, Smith & Singleton, offers international flavors in a number of vegan and gluten- and dairy-free plates, including an ancient grains salad loaded with pearl barley, quinoa, and moghrabieh. Have kids? Book a free Bugaboo Bee stroller in advance and head to the sprawling playground that’s minutes from the hotel."

"Check your traditional hotel notions at the door of this Russell Street lodging. At QT Melbourne, guests are greeted on arrival by cheery Directors of Chaos, who sport the same black wigs, heavy makeup, and bold black-and-white outfits, but the lobby itself makes an equally striking first impression: old-school French hip-hop competes for attention with colorful video installations, a giant stuffed peacock, and a towering wall of 1,700 recycled books. Upstairs, the 188 rooms give off an industrial-chic vibe with concrete-slab ceilings, timber flooring, and bathrooms set behind sliding partitions of aluminum-framed glass. The hotel’s seemingly never-ending food and drink offerings include the Pascale Bar & Grill, where French bistro influences combine with produce farmed on the rooftop garden; Hot Sauce, for Asian-accented bar food (think steamed baos stuffed with fried chicken and kimchi ); and the Cake Shop, for warm pain au chocolat in the morning, plus an array of pastries, cakes, and snacks throughout the day. Families with young children will appreciate the complimentary travel cots and babysitting services (arranged with advance notice)."

"The Olsen Considered one of Australia ’s best living painters, John Olsen is famous for his squiggly-lined watercolor and oil takes on the antipodean landscape. Fitting, then, that the second property in the Art Series Hotel Group immerses guests in his playful worldview through museum-quality prints, an in-suite visual library, and tours of the hotel’s works. The 224 elegant accommodations are studies in restraint, with designer furnishings, floor-to-ceiling glass doors, and soft white-and-silver color schemes that keep the focus on the intricate paintings; kitchenettes with stoves and crockery give suites the feel of modern artist lofts. Should you wish to explore the South Yarra shopping precinct that surrounds The Olsen as the locals do, a smart car, Kronan scooter, Lekker bicycles, and an artsy pram are available for rent. After a day of retail therapy, head back to the hotel for seasonal small bites (gnocchi with field mushrooms; chargrilled calamari with tomato-chickpea stew)."